Freon, the most common type of refrigerant, should last for the entire life of your system. When your AC unit is working efficiently, you’ll never need to refill refrigerant because it’s not like gasoline, which is consumed and must be replenished—it’s just reused repeatedly.
However, it is possible you have low refrigerant levels due to a leak. For AC repair in Winter Park, FL, contact AmeriTech Air Conditioning & Heating today!
Signs you Might have a Leak in your Home
Low refrigerant can cause all sorts of issues, from decreased efficiency to complete system failure, so it’s important to get it fixed right away. If you notice that your AC unit is running more often than usual, or if it’s not keeping your home as cool as it used to, then there might be a problem with the refrigerant.
Loud noises and frost or ice on the outside of your unit are further indications that there might be a problem.
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, don’t hesitate to call AmeriTech Air Conditioning & Heating for AC repair. We have years of experience with all types of AC repairs, and we’ll work diligently to get your system up and running again as quickly as possible.
Why Would you Need a Replacement Unit?
If the issue is caught and fixed early on, it’s possible that our technicians could simply repair the leak and add more refrigerant to get things back up and running properly. However, if the refrigerant has been leaking for a while or there is some other underlying problem with the AC unit, then a complete replacement might be necessary.
In either case, it’s crucial to get the problem diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage and more expensive repairs down the road.
Additionally, due to concerns that they damage the Earth’s ozone layer and contribute to global warming, Freon refrigerants with R-22 have been phased out. So, if you have an older AC unit with R-22, it will eventually need to be replaced with a newer model that uses a different refrigerant. However, your AC unit can still function perfectly well using the current refrigerant for many years.
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks in AC Units?
Refrigerant leaks don’t happen on their own, they’re usually caused by wear and tear over time. Vibrations from normal operation can loosen connections and fittings, creating small gaps where refrigerant escapes. Corrosion is another common culprit, especially in older systems or units exposed to harsh weather conditions.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Refrigerant Leak?
The cost depends on the severity of the leak and your system’s age. Simple repairs typically range from $200 to $1,500, including leak detection, repair, and refrigerant recharge. However, if you have an older R-22 system, replacement may be more cost-effective since R-22 refrigerant prices have skyrocketed due to the phase-out.
Give AmeriTech Air Conditioning & Heating a call today! Our technicians can help with your AC installation in Orlando, FL, and surrounding areas.
No, it's not normal for an AC to lose refrigerant under proper operating conditions. Air conditioning systems operate as completely sealed, closed-loop systems where refrigerant circulates continuously without being consumed. In ideal circumstances with proper installation and maintenance, your AC should never need refrigerant added throughout its entire lifespan. However, some HVAC professionals note that systems may experience minimal loss of approximately 2% per year due to natural permeation through seals and connections, though this rate is extremely slow and typically wouldn't require service for 15-20 years.
Technically, zero Freon loss is the expected standard for a properly functioning system. Since refrigerant operates in a sealed system, any loss indicates a problem rather than normal wear. That said, industry data shows that AC fittings and connections have an acceptable permeation rate of approximately 1/4 ounce per year per fitting, which means a typical residential system with multiple connections might lose around 2 ounces annually through microscopic permeation. If you're adding refrigerant more frequently than every 15-20 years, your system has a leak that requires professional repair.
Beyond the signs already mentioned on this page, watch for hissing or bubbling sounds near your AC unit, which indicates refrigerant actively escaping in liquid or gas form. You may also notice water pooling around your indoor unit's base, caused by frozen evaporator coils melting due to insufficient refrigerant. Ice buildup specifically on the refrigerant lines themselves, not just the outdoor unit, is a telltale sign of low charge. Higher-than-normal energy bills combined with reduced cooling performance also suggest your system is working harder to compensate for inadequate refrigerant levels.
Refrigerant levels cannot drop without some form of leak, though the leak source may vary. While the system is designed as completely sealed, leaks can develop from corrosion (especially formicary corrosion on evaporator coils in humid climates), physical damage during installation or maintenance, factory defects, or deteriorated seals and fittings over time. In cold climates, systems may develop seasonal leaks when components contract during winter, creating gaps that seal back up when temperatures rise, making leak detection challenging. Even if you can't see or hear a leak, any measurable refrigerant loss confirms that one exists somewhere in your system.